Balanced input high-frequency amplifier



Oct 7, 1952 K. N. FROMM 2,613,285 BALANCED INPUT HIGH-FREQUENCY AMPLIFIER Filed .Aug. 16, 1946 OUTPUT SOURCE" OF BALANCED 3' 37 1?. W V 35 \E OUTPUT 43 42 SIGNAL VOLTAGES 36:

INVENTORv KENNETH N. FROMM ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 7, 1952 UNITED STATE BALANCED INPUT HIGH-FREQUENCY AMPLIFIER Kenneth N. Fromm, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Farnsworth Research Corporation, a corporation of Indiana Application August 16, 1946, Serial No. 690,877 9 Claims. (01. 179-171) This invention relates to high-frequency amplifiers and particularly relates to an amplifier having a balanced input circuit and an unbalanced output circuit.

A television receiving antenna is conventionally connected to the receiver "through a transmission line. Such a transmission line may either be a'coaxial cable which is unbalanced, or a twisted pair of wires or an'ope'n' wire line, both of which are balanced with respect to a fixed reference potential. In view, of its higher cost and'the difiiculties encountered in installing it a coaxial cable is usually not utilized for connecting a television antennan to the receiver. However, a transmission line consisting of either a twisted pair of wires or of an open wire line is comparatively cheap and is easy to install. A twisted pairof wires has a comparatively high loss but is relatively insensitive to interference when properly balanced. An open wire line on the other hand may be made with a high impedance and is therefore useful for connecting an antenna having a high radiation resistance with the receiver. Furthermore, an open wire line has low losses but will pick up a certain amount of interference signals;

' When a balanced transmission}u iarf a ape discussed 'hereinabove is utilized for 'fconnecting a receiving antennato a" televisionreceiver, a radio frequency amplifier stage is required which has a balanced input circuit and an unbalanced output circuit for coupling the amplifier. to another radio frequency ampnfiergstage or to the converter, stage of the. re eiv r; Such a balanced -input unbalanced-output high-frequency amplifier should'have ahi'gih gain and should be able to pass awide-ban ,d signal when used in a television receiver. i iFurthermore, the gain of the amplifier for anundesired in-phase input voltage which may, for example, represent I noise or interference picked up by thebalanced transmission line should be very low' and preferably zero. Thus, the amplifier should have a good voltage balance, that is,,the individual gains obtainedfrom each terminal of the balanced signal voltage source should'be equal. 1

It has been suggested to provide -a; balancedinput unbalanced-outputamplifier where the two terminals of the balanced signal voltage source are connected respectively to the grid and 'to the cathode of one triode havinga cathode impedance. The amplifier, accordingly, .has camodje and grid feed." Such a push-pullv singleended amplifier, however, has 'a ,poor voltage balance even" though the impedances are matched,

and consequently,- its gain with respect to two in-phase input voltages is considerably larger than unity.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide'a novel amplifier suitable for amplifying high-frequency signals whichhasa balanced input circuit and an unbalanced output circuit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a balanced-input high-frequency amplifier which will amplify a wide-band signal with high gain and which has a good voltage balance and will provide a gain of less than unity foran unde'a sired in-phas'einp'ut signal.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a high-frequency amplifier comm-is ing a first and a second electric discharge device, f

each having a grid, a cathode and-"ananode. There is further provided a source of" signal voltagesbalancedwitnrespect to a fiaed potential and coupled to the grid of the first discharge device and to the cathode of the second discharge device. A cathodeimpedance'is provided in the cathode circuit-of the' 'second discharge device. Furthermore, there are provided an anode voltage supply and a co'rr'iini'qrianode impedance forcon- 'necting; the voltage 1 supply to the anodes of the 'two dischargedevices. Finally, means are provided for deriving anunbalanced amplified output signal across the anode impedance.

Fora better understanding o'fj'the invention, together withother and further'objects thereof,

referenceis made to, the following description,

taken in connection -with"the accompanying drawing nd its s cope 'will be. pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanyingfdrawing, Fig.'1"isa circult diagram of a balanced-input high-frequency amplifier embodying thepresentinvention, while :Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of'a modifiedamplifier inaccordance with'the invention and suitable for amplifyinglhigher' frequency signals than the amplifier of Fig. '1 vReferring to Fig. I of the drawing, there is illustrated a high-frequency amplifier stagepc omprising triodes l and 2. Triode I includes cathode 3, control grid 4 and anode 5 while triode' 2 comprises cathode 6, control grid land anode 8. There is provided a source of balanced signalvoltages which in Fig. 1 has been'illustrated, by way ofexample, by dipolelfl conneetedto the amplifier through balanced 1 transmission line I] which, as shown, mayconsist of a twisted pair'of wires. Insteadof using a twisted pair 'of wires itjis also feasible to utilize an open wire line which has considerably lower losses than a twisted pair of wires but which will more readily pick up interference signals.

Balanced transmission line II has two output terminals I2 and I3 which are connected respectively to control grid 4 of triode I and to cathode 5 of triode 2. It will be appreciated that at any instant the signal voltage appearing at terminal I2 is in phase opposition with respect to the signal voltage developed at terminal I3, both of which are balanced with respect to a fixed reference potential, such as ground.

Control grid 4 of triode I is connected to ground through grid leak resistor I4. Cathode 3 of triode I is connected to ground through a biasing network I5 which may consist of resistor It bypassed by condenser Il to provide proper grid bias. Control grid I of triode 2 is kept at a fixed potential, such as ground. Cathode B of triode 2 is connected to ground through cathode resister 13: vTriode 2 is thus arranged as, a grounded-grid cathode-feed amplifier.

An odes 5 and 8 are connected to a suitable anodevoltag-e supply indicated at 13+ through commonanode impedance- 2i) which maycomprise a tuned circuit including coil 2i and condenser 22. For the purpose of obtaining the desired band-pass damping resistor 23 may be provided in the anode circuit and may be arranged in parallel with tuned circuit ill, 22. The unpalanced output signal may be derived from tuned output circuit 24 comprising coil 25 inductively coupled to coil 2I and connected across condenser .28. Qne terminal of output coil 25 maybe grounded, as shown, and the unbalanced output signal maybe obtained from output lead 21 connected to the opposite terrninalof coil 25.. It is to be understood that damping resistor 23 mayalso be connected across tuned output circuit. 24 in which. case its resistance is, reflected back into anodeimpedance 2B,.

The operation ofthe amplifier illustrated in; Fig. 1 will be evident. I The signal voltages developed which is defined as the ratio of the amplification factor over the mutual inductance of either triode I or 2. In order to match balanced transmission line II to the input circuit of triode I, the resistance of grid leak resistor I4 should equal Z as stated. Formula 1 may be solved for Rx:

The gain A defined as the ratio of output voltage over input voltage may be obtained from the following formula:

4: 3 RL te ie A l I 2ZRK(RP+RL) 7 Let it be assumed that a '7F8 type twin tube is used for triodes I and 2 which has an amplification factor #:50 and a dynamic plate resistance RP=10,000 ohms. It may also be assumed that the input impedance Z=60 ohms and the load resistance RL=2,00O ohms. The value of the resistance RK ofj'cathode resistor I8'may accord;- ingly be calculated from Formula 2 and amounts to '76 ohms. The gain as evaluated from Formula 3 with the above values is 11:? which compares with a value of 7 found experimentally with the circuit of Fig. l. The gain of the amplifier with the above circuit constants when the voltage impressed upon control grid 4 and cathode Gis equal and in phase amounts to less than unity. The amplifier, therefore has a good voltage balance. e v p The circuit of Fig. 1 maybe used for amplifying an input signalin the frequency range from approximately 40 megacycles to approximately 100 megacycles. The amplifier of Fig. 1 is accordingly well adapted as a radio frequency amplifier stage in a television receiver for receiving the television channels provided in the frequency at terminals IZ and "I3 are at anyfinstant in I phase opposition] Since terminal I2 is connected to the grid of triode I whileterminal t3- isconnected to thecathode of triode 2,'the voltages. of

anodes 5-and.8 are in phase. The amplified unbalanced output s'ignal.. may' accordinglybe developed across anode impedance -and may be obtained by means .of tuned-output circuit 25 26'. g

.Theinput resistances I4 and I8 of the amplifier must be properly matched to balanced transmission line II. 'From' this-assumption an equation may be developed which determines the resistance of cathode resistor I8, and the gain of the amplifier maybe calculated. If' ZZ is the fiinpedanceof transmission. line II. as seen from its output terminals, I2 and I3, the input im pedance of control"grid4 of triode I. thatlis, the.

impedance of gridleak'resistor-I I should equal Z and the input impedance'of'cathode 6 of triode 2 should alsoequal Z. Thus,' the followingformula is-obtained:

(1) RPRK(RP+2RL)' RH P'I' RL-I- K( )]I" LRir In Formula 1 R1: isthe resistance of cathode resistor I8; R1. is the resistive component ofload or anode impedance 20; a is the amplification factor of either of triodes I and 2 which is defined as the ratio of the change in plate voltage to a change in grid voltage withconstant plate curv rent; and R)? is the dynamic plate resistance range from 44 to 88 megacycles.

A "modified amplifier which is adapted to amplify signals in a higher frequency range is illustrated'in Fig. 2; Thus, the amplifier of Fig; 2 is particularly useful as the radio frequency amplifier stage of af television receiver arranged for receiving another group of television channels provided in thefrequency range from 174 to 216 megacycles. In Fig. 2, in which like components; are designated by the same reference numerals as were used in Fig. 1, there are shown two pentodes 3| and 32 which replace triodes I and 2 of the-circuit of Fig. 1.

Pentode 3| comprises cathode 33, control grid 34, screen grid- 35', suppressor grid 36 and anode 3,1; Pentode 32 includes cathode 38, controlgrid 40, screen grid 4I',-';s uppressor grid 42 andanode 43. Cathode 33 0f, pentode 3| may be connected to ground through biasing network I5. Suppressor grid 36 is connected to cathode 33. Cathode 38' of pentode 32 is connected to suppressor grid" and may be connected to ground through -cathode resistor I8. Screen grids 35 and 4| of the two pentodes are tied together and connected 'to anode voltage supply 13+ through screen grid age B+ through anode impedance 20 which has beenrepresented as a resistor across which the output signal is developed and obtained from output lead21. Control grid 40 of pentode'42' is connected to ground, while control grid 34 of pentode 3| is connected to ground through grid leak resistor l4. Input terminals [2 and I3 which are connected respectively to control grid and to cathode 38 are connected, in turn, to a source of balanced signal voltages indicated at 48.

The'circuit of Fig. 2 operates in substantially the same-manner as the circuit of Fig.1 'so tliat further explanation is deemed to be unnecessary here. By replacing triodes land 2 of the circuit of Fig. lbypentodes 3 I andfl-y the amplifier-may be used for amplifying considerably higher frequencies, that is, up to at least 220 megacycles.

While there has been described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall'within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A high-frequency amplifier comprising a first and a second electric discharge device, each having a grid, a cathode and an anode, a source of signal voltages balanced with respect to a fixed potential and coupled to the grid of said first device and to the cathode of said second device, a cathode impedance in the cathode circuit of said second device, an anode voltage supply, a common anode impedance for connecting said voltage supply to the anodes of said devices, and means for deriving an unbalanced amplified output signal across said anode impedance.

2. A high-frequency amplifier comprising a first and a second electric discharge device, each having a grid, a cathode and an anode, a source of signal voltages balanced with respect to a fixed potential and coupled to the grid of said first device and to the cathode of said second device, a cathode impedance in the cathode circuit of said second device, the grid of said second device being kept at a fixed potential, an anode voltage supply, a common anode impedance for connecting said voltage supply to the anodes of said devices, and means for deriving an unbalanced amplified output signal across said anode impedance.

3. A high-frequency amplifier comprising a first and a second electric discharge tube, each having a grid, a cathode and an anode, a source of signal voltages balanced with respect to a fixed potential and coupled to the grid of said first tube and to the cathode of said second tube, a cathode resistor in the cathode circuit of said second tube, means for biasing the grid of said first tube with respect to its cathode, means for keeping the grid of said second tube at a fixed potential, an anode voltage supply, a common anode impedance for connecting said voltage supply to the anodes of said tubes, and means for deriving an unbalanced amplified output signal across said anode impedance.

4. A high-frequency amplifier comprising a first and a second space discharge tube, each having a cathode, an anode and at least one grid, a source of balanced high-frequency signal voltage coupled to the grid of said first tube and to the cathode of said second tube, a biasing network connected to the cathode of said first tube, a cathode impedance connected to the cathode of said second tube, means for keeping the grid of said second tube at a fixed potential, a positive voltage supply, an anode impedance connected between said voltage supply and said anodes, and

6 means for derivingan unbalanced amplified. out:- put signal from said anoderimpedance. P w

- 5..-A high frequency amplifier? comprisin'gi ra first "and: a second "ispace discharge. tube-,.- each havingla cathode, arr-anode and at least oneigrid,

a source' ofi balanced "highefrequen'c'y signal volt.-

ageboupled to the gridof'saidifirst tube andvto the cathodezof said second? tube, a cathode impedance connected to: the cathode of said second tube, means for biasing the grid of said first tube with respect to its cathode, means for keeping the grid of said second tube at a fixed potential, a positive voltage supply, an anode impedance including a tuned circuit connected between said voltage supply and said anodes, and means for deriving an unbalanced amplified output signal from said tuned circuit.

6. A high-frequency amplifier comprising a first and a second space discharge tube, each having a cathode, an anode and at least one grid, a source of balanced high-frequency signal voltage coupled to the grid of said. first tube and to the cathode of said second tube, a biasing network connected to the cathode of said first tube, a cathode resistor connected to the cathode of said second tube, means for keeping the grid of said second tube at a fixed potential, a positive voltage supply, a tuned circuit connected between said voltage supply and said anodes, and means for deriving an unbalanced amplified output signal from said tuned circuit.

'7. A high-frequency amplifier comprising a first and a second triode, each having a cathode, an anode and a control grid, 9. source of balanced high-frequency signal voltage coupled to the control grid of said first triode and to the cathode of said second triode, a resistor bypassed by a condenser arranged in the cathode circuit of said first triode, a cathode resistor arranged in the cathode circuit of said second triode, a positive voltage supply, an anode impedance connected between said voltage supply and the anodes of said triodes, the control grid of said second triode being kept at a fixed potential; and means for deriving an unbalanced amplified output signal across said anode impedance.

8. A high-frequency amplifier comprising a first and a second pentode, each having a cathode, an anode, a control grid, a screen grid and a suppressor grid, 9, source of balanced high-frequency signal voltage coupled to the control grid of said first pentode and to the cathode of said second pentode, the suppressor grid of each pentode being connected to its associated cathode, a resistor bypassed by a condenser arranged in the cathode circuit of said first pentode, a cathode resistor arranged in the cathode circuit of said second pentode, means for supplying said screen grids with a positive voltage, a positive voltage supply, an anode impedance connected between said voltage supply and the anodes of said pentodes, means for keeping the control grid of said second pentode at a fixed potential, and means for deriving an unbalanced amplified output signal across said anode impedance.

9. A high-frequency amplifier comprising a first and a second pentode, each having a cathode, an anode, a control grid, a screen grid and a suppressor grid, 9. source of balanced high-frequency signal voltage coupled to the control grid of said first pentode and to the cathode of said second pentode, the suppressor grid of each pentode being connected to its associated cathode, a resistor bypassed by a condenser arranged in the oathode circuit of said first pentode, a cathode resisan anode impedance including a tuned circuit 7 tor arranged in the cathode circuit of said second k REFERENCES CITED Dentode, mea s fO upp y Said screen grids The following references are of record in the with a positive .voltage, a positive voltage supply. file of this patent:

connected between said voltage supply and the UNITED STATES PATENTS anodes of said pentodes, .the control grid of said Number Name Date second ;pentode being kept at a fixed potential, 2,199,820 Gannett May '7, 1940 and-means for deriving an unbalanced amplified 2,230,546 Rothe Feb. 4, 1941 output signal across said tuned circuit. 2,246,331 White et a1 June 17, 1941 10 2,256,084 Goodale et a1 Sept. 16, 1941 N. FRoMM. 2,256,085 Goodale Sept. .16, 1941 

